Castle of Rocca Calascio, Italy

Castle of Rocca Calascio is a mountaintop fortress or rocca in the municipality of Calascio, in the Province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy.

At an elevation of 1,512 metres, the castle is the highest fortress in the Apennines. Built of stone and masonry exclusively for military purposes and intended only to accommodate troops and never as residence for nobles, the fortress overlooks the Plain of Navelli at one of the highest points in the ancient Barony of Carapelle.

Construction of the fortress started in the tenth century as a single watchtower. A walled courtyard with four cylindrical towers at the corners around a taller inner tower was added in the thirteenth century. The lower half of the fortress is built with distinctively larger stones than its upper half. It is believed that this feature was to make its base impenetrable to invaders.

The fortress was never tested in battle. However, it was badly damaged in November 1461 by an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7 to 8 on the Richter Scale. While the town of Calascio, which lies below the fortress, was rebuilt, the fortress was not.

Photo by : @ castlepics

Hobbiton by MatejCadil

 

Hobbiton by MatejCadil

A Digital Reconstruction of the Arch of the Argentarii, Rome

 A Digital Reconstruction of the Arch of the Argentarii, Rome. 

The Ruins of Pergamon in Turkey

 

The Ruins of Pergamon in Turkey

Акропољ Линдос на острове Родос

 

Акропољ Линдос на острове Родос

Castello Montalto Dora, Piedmont, Italy

 Castello Montalto Dora, Piedmont, Italy,

It was built in the 12th century on Mount Crovero as Castrum Montesalti. 

The castle witnessed al lot - it was destroyed several times, rebuilt several times and finally restored. In the 19th century after years of neglect careful restoration brought it back to life. 

Courtesy: Famous Architectural Works

Ancient Greek House

 

Castillo de Butrón, Gatika, Spain

 

Castillo de Butrón, Gatika, Spain,

Spiš Castle, Slovakia.

 Spiš Castle, Slovakia

Bourtzi Castle, Greece

 

The small island of Bourtzi in Nafplion is popular for its strong, impressive fortress. Still known by its Turkish name Bourtzi, meaning the Tower, it attracts many visitors all year round. Antonio Gambello, an architect from Bergamo, built the castle in 1471 on this tiny islet in front of the port of Nafplion, although the construction was completed by the engineer Brancaleone. The design was made specifically to fit the narrow shape of the islet.

The entire city was fortified in 1473 by the Venetians, mainly to provide protection against pirates. The castle, with entrances to the north and south, has three floors connected by movable stairs. A small harbor on the north-eastern side offered easy and safe access to the fortress. To get protected by their enemies, the Turks had laid the surrounding sea bed with a large barricade of stones that made it impossible for large ships to approach the island and the fort. Later on, after the deliberation of the town in 1821, it was turned into the residence of the executioner for the convicts of the Palamidi castle. Between 1930 and 1970, after alterations by the German architect Wolf Schaeffer, the Bourtzi Castle was used as a hotel. Today the island hosts the Summer Music Festival, providing a perfectly stunning backdrop to the gala of music. It is easily accessible by boat from the port of Nafplion and it is a must for the visitors of this beautiful town

Photo by : @ iconicpalace

Рундальский дворец

 Рундальский дворец — один из наиболее значительных памятников архитектуры Латвии, бывшая загородная резиденция герцогов Курляндии. Расположен в селе Пилсрундале, в 12 км к северо-западу от Бауски. Выстроен в стиле барокко по проекту Ф. Б. Растрелли для Э. И. Бирона.

Shapurkhast Castle, Iran

 

The majestic Shapurkhast Castle, Iran. It dates back to #Sassanid Persia (3rd-7th century CE). 

Magical city in Italy

 

Magical city in Italy

Abandoned building in the middle of the mountain

 Abandoned building in the middle of the mountain.

The ancient remains of Great Zimbabwe

 

The ancient remains of Great Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe is a medieval city in the south-eastern hills of the modern country of Zimbabwe, near Lake Mutirikwe and the town of Masvingo.

 It is thought to have been the capital of a great kingdom during the Late Iron Age, about which little is known.

Construction on the city began in the 9th century and continued until it was abandoned in the 15th century.

The edifices were erected by ancestors of the Shona and other groups located in Zimbabwe and nearby countries.

 The stone city spans an area of 7.22 square kilometers (2.79 sq mi) and could have housed up to 18,000 people at its peak, giving it a population density of approximately 2,500 inhabitants per square kilometer (6,500/sq mi). 

It is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Castle Development.

 Castle Development. Image credit to Reddit user WayneJoker

Grianan of Aileach

 Grianan of Aileach, an Iron Age stone fortress that was used from about 800 BC till about 1200 CE; located in County Donegal, Ireland.

According to legend, it was built by renowned King Daghda of Tuatha de Danann. Supposedly, king’s son Aeah was buried in center of fortress.

Fort was seat of Kingdom of Aileach, that ruled much of Ulster at that time. It was raised once by Vikings, and Murtaigh O’Brien, Kind of Munster finished job in 1191 CE. It was restored to its current state in 19th Century CE.

Mount Gundabad

Mount Gundabad

Jaswant Thada

Jaswant Thada is a stunning marble cenotaph located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. It's a memorial built in honor of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II of Jodhpur. What makes it special is its intricate architecture, carved marble lattice screens, and the peaceful gardens surrounding it. The intricate marble work and the serene atmosphere make it a popular tourist attraction and a peaceful place for visitors to admire the craftsmanship and pay respects to the Maharaja.

Blenheim Palace in Woodstock

 Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire is one of the largest houses in England. It was built between 1705 and 1722 and was named after the 1704 battle of Blenheim. The style of the building is the rare and short-lived English Baroque. The land was given as a gift by Queen Anne and it has been the residences of the Dukes of Malborough - Churchill families.